"This is the way they came?" questioned Frank.
"Sure," nodded Bart. "They are somewhere ahead."
"What makes you think they are skipping the city? It strikes me they may be simply out for a canter. Perhaps they are going to take a look at Tahoe up there among the mountains."
"They did not buy horses for a canter of a few hours."
"They bought horses?"
"Yes."
"Then it is pretty certain they have no notion of coming back to Carson. You have a level head, my boy. Forward!"
The road became rugged and steep. They were looking for a mounted man and girl in advance, and they constantly urged forward their sweating horses.
"I do not see anything of them."
"The road crooks away up yonder, so they would be hidden. They have quite a start, and they are in a hurry."